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What is it about Russian Music that makes it So Russian ?

Discussion in 'Repertoire' started by Bubbles, Sep 12, 2008.

  1. Bubbles

    Bubbles New Member

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    What is it about Russian Music that makes it So Russian ?


    Issit the soul, and spirit or the mood ? All Russian music seem to have a particular beautiful melancholy feel towards it- ie Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Rimski Korsakov, Alexander Glazunov and Shostakovich.

    Take this example of the Ballet Raymonda by Glazunov:-

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIZFM3gEI...

    The first piece seems like a love dream, cantabile and graceful.
    The second piece has that same Russian flavour, dark , melancholy, expressive.
    The third piece- has that Russian feel again and I can hear this music originally composed for a balailaka.

    Other examples are Traditional Anonymous music like Dark Eyes and the Russian Balailaka, and the Rachmaninov piano concerto no 3.

    Although I feel that Shostakovich's piano music ( preludes and fugues ) have a typical character and feel to it- like a polka or ballet barre work exercise.

    Their Ballet music is typical of the Russian melancholy melodies.
    Is it the chord progression or their soul, expression and spirit ?

    What do you think ?
     
    Bubbles, Sep 12, 2008
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  2. kojiattwood

    kojiattwood New Member

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    Never underestimate the russian capacity for suffering.
    That seems to come out in their artwork quite powerfully.
     
    kojiattwood, Sep 12, 2008
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  3. juufa72

    juufa72 New Member Piano Society Artist

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    Not only is the music beautiful, but there are literary greats which capture a sense of mood that no other nationality can create. Perhaps it is social-political influence. Who knows. All I know is that it is beautiful.
     
    juufa72, Sep 12, 2008
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  4. pianolady

    pianolady Monica Hart, Administrator Staff Member Piano Society Artist Trusted Member

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    I have not read much Russian literature, but I do like Alexander Pushkin. A certain poem of his is one of my favorites:

    Morpheus

    Oh, Morpheus, give me joy till morning
    For my forever painful love:
    Just blow out candles' burning
    And let my dreams in blessing move.
    Let from my soul disappear
    The separation's sharp rebuke!
    And let me see that dear look,
    And let me hear voice that dear.
    And when will vanish dark of night
    And you will free my eyes at leaving,
    Oh, if my heart would have a right
    To lose its love till dark of evening!
     
    pianolady, Sep 13, 2008
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  5. nathanscoleman

    nathanscoleman New Member Piano Society Artist

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    It's the Borscht ... definitely the borscht! 8)
     
    nathanscoleman, Sep 13, 2008
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